Kalanchoe plant named ‘AFRICAN PEARL’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata  interspecific hybrid plant named ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ characterized by a large number of petals per flower resulting in the double-type or multi-petalled trait; large petal size resulting in a large flowers; the hastate and dissected young and mature leaves; the different yellow-orange colors of petals; and the large number of flowers on each plant.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: K.blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘AFRICAN PEARL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniatainterspecific hybrid, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘AFRICAN PEARL’. As used herein, “interspecific hybrid” includes theprogeny from the cross of two different species of Kalanchoe, as wellas, the progeny resulting from subsequent backcrossing to one of theparents.

The genus of Kalanchoe belongs to the sedum family (Crassulaceae). Thereare more than 100 different species of Kalanchoe, of which more than 60are found growing wild on Madagascar, many in South Africa and a few inAsia and South America. Kalanchoe belongs to the succulent plants, whichare characterized by having turgid leaves. The leaves enable them tostand drought in nature or on the windowsill for a longer time than mostother plants, and this allows for a supreme longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the Inventors, Knud Jepsen and Ellen Christensen, inHinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to createnew Kalanchoe cultivars with large flowers, numerous petals per flower,attractive flower coloration and excellent postproduction longevity.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the Inventors in Hinnerup, Denmark. The femaleparent is a proprietary selection of K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniatainterspecific hybrid designated ‘2000 0716’ having single-type flowerswith 4 petals per flower. The female parent is described in U.S. PlantPat. No. 15,509 and in European Union Community Variety Rightsapplication serial No. 2003/0974, and is the second generation progenyof a fertile interspecific hybrid between K. blossfeldiana and K.laciniata. The male parent, designated K. blossfeldiana cultivar‘Monroe’, is described in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,714, and has themulti-petalled double-type flower characteristic. The new Kalanchoecultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ was discovered and selected by the Inventors asa flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by vegetative terminal cuttingswas first performed in February, 2004, in Hinnerup, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type through asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’which in combination distinguish this Kalanchoe as a new and distinctcultivar:

-   -   1. large number of petals per flower resulting in a double-type        or multi-petalled trait;    -   2. large size of petals resulting in a large flower;    -   3. the hastate, dissected leaves on young as well as mature        leaves;    -   4. the different yellow-orange colors of petals; and    -   5. large number of flowers per plant.

The new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary significantly with variations in environment such astemperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in thegenotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements andvalues describe the new Kalanchoe cultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ as grown inHinnerup, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

Plants of ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ differ from plants of the parental cultivarsin the following characteristics:

New Cultivar Female Parent Trait ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ ‘2000 0716’ Height ofcultivar About 31 cm About 38 cm Flower Type Double-type Single-typeFlower Diameter 20-25 mm 20-25 mm Flower Number Per 250-300 500 PlantNumber of Corolla Up to 17 full or partial 4 Lobes petals CorollaColoration From outer to center of Red-orange, flower: RHS 44B Firstcircle Yellow-orange, RHS 20D Next circle Yellow-orange, RHS 19B Centercircle Yellow-orange, RHS 20D with a twist of red, RHS 39C Whole flowerfaints to light orange RHS 27C Shape of petal The width of the petal isThe width of the 9 mm. The length is 6 petal is 10 mm. The mm. The shapeis ovate length is 13 mm. with mucronate apex. The shape is obovate withcuspidate tip. Leaf Hastate, dissected leaves Hastate, dissected with along petiole and leaves with a long long lamina. The leaf petiole andlong apex is obtuse and the lamina. The leaf base is cunate. apex isobtuse and the base is cunate. Leaf texture The foliage is glabrous Thefoliage is and shining glabrous and more both above and below. shiningabove than below. Male Parent Trait ‘Monroe’ Height of cultivar About 24cm Flower Type Double-type Flower Diameter 16-19 mm Flower Number Per350-400 Plant Number of Corolla Up to 27 full or Lobes partial petalsCorolla Coloration White, RHS 155 D Shape of petal The width of thepetal is 4 mm. The length is 8 mm. The shape is ovate with cuspidatetip. Leaf Obovate leaves with obtuse leaf tips and truncate bases. Theleaf margin is undulate. Leaf texture The foliage is glabrous andshining both above and below.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventors, themost similar in comparison to ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ is parental cultivar ‘KJ2000 0716’. Comparing these two cultivars, the main distinction is theform and the color of the flower, as described in the preceding table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Kalanchoe cultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a typical potted flowering plantof ‘AFRICAN PEARL’, 18 weeks after planting of cutting.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical potted flowering plantof ‘AFRICAN PEARL’, 18 weeks after planting of cutting.

FIG. 3 shows the following typical plant parts of ‘AFRICAN PEARL’: AInflorescence; B. Flower, just opened; C. Flower opened one week, D.Flower bud, top; E. Inside a flower; F. Flower bud, site; G. Petal; H.Pistil; I. Sepal; J. Mature leaf; and K. Young leaf.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘AFRICAN PEARL’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Kalanchoecultivar as grown in a greenhouse in Hinnerup, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The plants were grown in a greenhouse at 64.4° F. at daytime and 68° F.during the night. The cultivar was produced in a either a 10.5 or 13 cmpot. The cuttings were grown in a long day (16 hours light, 8 hoursdark) for the first 5 weeks. At week 6 after planting, the cultivar isgrown in a short day (10 hours light, 14 hours dark). After 14 weeks thecultivar would be ready for sale. The cultivar was grown under naturallight conditions supplemented with 70 μmol/m²/s SON-T light when thenatural light was less than 100 μmol/m²/s. At short day, the floweringwas induced. The reaction time from day of induction to day of firstopened flower was 67 days. The peat based soil mix was watered with asolution containing 200 parts per million (ppm) nitrogen, 200 ppmpotassium and 40 ppm phosphorous, 200 ppm calcium, 40 ppm magnesium, 60ppm sulphate, 1 ppm iron, 0.6 ppm manganese, 0.1 ppm copper, 0.1 ppmzink, 0.3 ppm borium, 0.03 ppm molybdenum.

In following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), published 1986, exceptwhere general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color valueswere taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12 a.m. in agreenhouse in Hinnerup, Denmark. The age of the plant described is 15weeks (from the time the cutting was planted in growth medium to whenthe picture was taken).

-   Parentage:    -   -   Male or pollen parent.—K. blossfeldiana cultivar ‘Monroe’            (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,714).        -   Female or seed parent.—K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata            interspecific hybrid cultivar ‘2000 0716’ (disclosed in U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 15,509).-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Kalanchoe interspecific hybrid×K. blossfeldiana            cultivar ‘AFRICAN PEARL’ (2^(nd) generation after K.            blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybrid back-crossed            with K. blossfeldiana).-   Propagation: Vegetative terminal cuttings.    -   -   Rooting habit.—The cultivar has numerous, branched, fine and            fibrous roots.        -   Time to initiate roots.—It takes between one and two weeks            to initiate roots.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—It will take three weeks            to produce a well rooted cutting. In winter time, it can            take one week more.-   Plant: If the plants are grown according to the description above,    it will perform as described below. Variation from this should be    expected over the course of the year, and if the physical growing    conditions varies from the description.    -   -   Growth habit.—This cultivar is upright and uniform. The            flowers are formed above the top of the leaf canopy, but            flowers will also appear between the leaves. The flowers are            assembled in numerous compound inflorescences.        -   Growth rate.—Ready for sale after 16 weeks.        -   Branching habit and description.—Freely branching; typically            4 to 8 lateral branches develop per plant. Pinching (removal            of the terminal apex) is not mandatory, but will enhance            lateral branching. When grown in 10 cm pots the cultivar is            not pinched.        -   Height at flowering.—The height of the cultivar is about 31            cm, from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant,            depending on growth conditions.        -   Spread/diameter at flowering.—The diameter at flowering is            about 30 cm.-   Stems:    -   -   Appearance.—The cultivar has around 8 stems with none, one            or numerous leaf pairs on the stem. The inflorescence on the            top of the flower stem is branched, giving an inverted            triangle with a rounded crown. Each branch has between 40            and 60 flowers.        -   Aspect.—The stem is strong.        -   Length.—The length of the stem is about 14 cm depending on            growth conditions.        -   Texture.—The texture of the stem is glabrous and shining.        -   Color.—The color of the stem is yellow-green, RHS 146 A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—The foliage is yellow-green with the same            colors of the immature as well as the mature leaf, RHS 146 A            and RHS 147 A. The majority of the leaves are at the base of            the plant, but immature leaves appear also on the flowering            stem.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—The leaves are defined as hastate,            dissected leaves.        -   Apex.—The form of the apex is obtuse.        -   Base.—The form of the base is cunate.        -   Length.—The length of the foliage varies from about 3 cm for            an immature leaf to about 14 cm for a mature leaf.        -   Width.—The width varies from about 2 cm for an immature leaf            to about 13 cm for a mature leaf.        -   Margin.—The foliage has a dentate margin.        -   Texture.—The foliage is glabrous and shining both above and            below.        -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the mature            leaf is dark yellow-green and is closely described with RHS            147 A. Immature leaf: The immature leaf has the same color            as the mature leaf, dark yellow-green, described with RHS            147 A.        -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: The color of the lower            surface is different from the upper surface, and is closely            described with a dark yellow-green color between RHS 146 A            and RHS 147 A. Immature leaf: The immature leaf has the same            color as the mature leaf, dark yellow-green, and is closely            described with a dark yellow-green color between RHS 146 A            and RHS 147 A.        -   Venation color.—There is no visual appearance of veins.            Upper surface: There is no difference between the color of            venation and the rest of the leaf. Lower surface: There is            no difference between the color of venation and the rest of            the leaf.        -   Petiole.—Length: The length of the petiole varies between an            immature and mature leaf. The length of an immature leaf            varies between 0.5 and 1 cm. The length of a mature leaf            varies between 3 and 3.5 cm. Diameter: The diameter of            petiole varies between an immature and mature leaf. The            diameter of an immature leaf is 4 mm. The diameter of a            mature leaf is 5 mm. Color: There is no difference between            the color of petiole and the rest of the leaf.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—The flower type is a double-type with            16 to 19 petals per flower. The average number of petals per            flower is 17.        -   Natural flowering season.—The flowering season is year            round, when grown according to description above. When            planting outside the flowering season will be in the summer            (April to October), depending on local climatic conditions.        -   Time to flower.—The time from start of short day treatment            to 1^(st) flower is about 74 days, approximately 1 week            longer in winter time.        -   Flowering stem length.—The length of the flowering stem is            ranging from 13 to 14 cm depending on the growth conditions.        -   Post production longevity.—‘AFRICAN PEARL’ maintain good            leaf and flower substance for at least 6 weeks under            interior environmental conditions.        -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—‘AFRICAN PEARL’            withstands wind, rain and direct sunlight, and can cope with            temperatures between 40 and 95 degrees F.        -   Fragrance.—‘AFRICAN PEARL’ has no fragrance.        -   Flower size.—The diameter of the flower range from is 2.5 to            3 cm.        -   Overall shape.—The shape is rose-like, defined by at least 5            petals per flower.        -   Quantity.—‘AFRICAN PEARL’ produces a large number of flower            ranging from 200 to 250 flowers per plant.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: From the time when the bud is showing            color, the flower will open within 10 days. Color: At the            tip the bud is yellow-green, RHS 145 B, with a twist of            orange 24 A. At the base the bud has the same yellow-green            color, RHS 145 B. Shape: The shape of the bud is ellipsoidal            with the smallest diameter towards the base. Length: The            length of the bud is about 1.5 cm. Diameter: The diameter of            the bud is about 8 mm at the tip and about 4 mm at the base.        -   Petal.—Quantity: Typically 16-17 fused at the base. Shape:            The shape of petal is oval. Length: The length is about            9 mm. Width: The width is about 6 mm. Apex: The shape of            apex is mucronate. Margin: The shape of the margin can be            described as entire. Texture: The texture of the petals is            soft, smooth and matte. Color when opening: Upper surface:            The color of the upper surface of the petals can be            described as follows: Going from the outer circle to the            inner circle of petals, the first circle of petals is            yellow-orange, RHS 20 D, the next is yellow-orange, RHS 19            B, and the middle is yellow-orange, RHS 20 B, with a touch            of red, RHS 39 C. Lower surface: The color of the lower            surface of the petals is yellow-orange, RHS 23 D, with a            touch of red, RHS 38 A. Color when fully open: Upper            surface: At maturing the upper surface of the whole flower            fades to orange RHS 27 C. Lower surface: At maturity the            lower surface of the whole flower fades to orange RHS 27 C.        -   Sepal.—Quantity: Typically 4 sepals fused at the base.            Shape: The shape of sepal is lanceolate. Length: The length            is 10 mm. Width: The width is 3 mm. Apex: The shape of the            apex is acute. Margin: The shape of the margin is entire.            Texture: The texture of the sepals is glabrous and shining.            Color when opening: Upper surface: The upper surface of the            sepal is green, RHS 137 B. Lower surface: The lower surface            of the sepal is green, RHS 137 B. Color when fully open:            Upper surface: The upper surface of the sepal is green, RHS            137 B. Lower surface: The lower surface the sepal is green,            RHS 137 B.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Every flower has a peduncle with a length            of 5 mm. Color: The peduncle is yellow-green; RHS 146 A.            Texture: The peduncle is glabrous and shining.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—Number: The flower has between 7 to 9 stamens.            Color: The color of the stamens is greyed-orange, RHS 177 B.        -   Anthers.—Number: The number of anthers is 7 to 9. Size: The            anthers are less than 1 mm in length. Color: The color of            the anthers is yellow-brownish, RHS 14 B.        -   Filament color.—The color of the filament is yellow-green,            RHS 145 C.        -   Pollen color.—The color of the pollen is yellow, RHS 17 C.        -   Pollen amount.—A medium amount of pollen with very good            pollen fertility of 100% depending on time of year.        -   Pistil.—Number: The number of pistils is four.        -   Stigma.—Shape: The shape of the stigma is round. Color: The            color of the stigma is yellow-green, RHS 145 A.        -   Style.—Shape: The shape of the style is thin and            cylindrical. Color: The color of the style is yellow-green,            RHS 145 A.        -   Ovary.—Color: The color of ovary is green, RHS 144 B.        -   Seeds.—Number: Between 50 and 60 potential seeds per ovary.            Width: The width of the seeds is less than 0.5 mm. Length:            The length of the seeds is less than 1 mm. Shape: The shape            of the seeds is ellipsoidal. Color: The color of the            potential seeds is green, RHS 145 C.        -   Fruit (ovary).—Shape: The shape of the fruit is cylindrical.            Width: The width of the fruit is 1 mm. Length: The length of            the fruit is 6 mm. Color: The color of the fruit is yellow            green, RHS 145 A.-   Disease resistance/susceptibility: No information on disease    resistance or susceptibility is currently available.

1. A new and distinct K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata interspecific hybridplant named ‘AFRICAN PEARL’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.